Penrith travel to Wirral on Saturday for their penultimate Regional 2 North West game in the knowledge that their league status is secure for next season.
A 27-7 home win over county rivals Kendal last week confirmed they were safe ahead of two tough away trips to complete the programme – at fourth-placed Wirral and at leaders Macclesfield.
Kendal are sixth in the table, but only two points better off than Penrith who are eighth and the Mint Bridge side have title-chasing leaders Macclesfield as visitors this week.
They finish next week-end at Stockport who sit a point and a place behind them in the table.
Kirkby Lonsdale might have a tough finish to the season as they fight to avoid a second successive relegation but they are making a big effort.
They hosted leaders Birkenhead Park on Saturday and were just pipped 30-29.
With Liverpool St. Helens looking likely to finish bottom it’s between Kirkby Lonsdale and Winnington Park as to who accompanies them in the drop. With two games left the Cumbrians trail by two points.
Winnington Park appear to have the easier finish with two home games – hosting Douglas, Isle of Man, and Altrincham Kersal on April 6. They are the two teams immediately above them in the table, eight and seven points respectively better off.
Kirkby Lonsdale on the other hand travel to third-placed Bowdon and entertain Crewe and Nantwich on April 6, who are fourth.
The big question in Regional 2 North is still – will just the bottom side Cockermouth be relegated?
Keswick and Stockton appear to be the two candidates for finishing second bottom and at the moment the Cumbrians have a three point advantage over their rivals with two games to play.
On Saturday Keswick visit Consett (two places and seven points better off) while Stockton entertain third in the table Middlesbrough.
The final games of the season on April 6 see Keswick at home to west Hartlepool and Stockton hosting Morpeth.
Upper Eden have staged a magnificent recovery, winning six of their last seven games, and they will want to keep that splendid run going when they go to Morpeth on Saturday and host Consett on the final day.
Aspatria are Cumbria’s best placed side in fifth but have a tough finale – at leaders Percy Park and then at home to third-placed Middlesbrough to finish off.
Sadly, relegated Cockermouth have pulled out of their game at West Hartlepool this week-end and their last game of the season on April 6 is at home to Durham City.
The Counties 1 Cumbria League has finished with Carlisle crowned champions and promoted.
Consequently, it’s a quiet afternoon for county referees – George Tressider will officiate at Kirkby Lonsdale 2nds against Sedgley Park 3rds while Mike Firby has the friendly game, Keswick 2nds v Ambleside.
